The Baptist denomination...

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Preface

The object of this book is to furnish for the people generally, the information necessary to a correct judgment of the Church of Christ. It is an effort to bring to the masses, what belongs to them as much as to scholars, to whom it has, to a great extent, been confined.

With this view, the author has labored to press into one small volume, matter found in no one work, small or large ; and, as far as it has been published, is scattered over several volumes, pamphlets, and papers. The different topics are, of course, treated with great brevity; but it is hoped sufficiently at length to secure the above-named object.

It is believed that numerous church members even, have but very imperfect information on a subject of vital interest to them. Such a state of things is incompatible with their happiness and usefulness. We live at a time, when all the disciples of Christ should be eminent in their Christian profession.

While we are particularly desirous to reach church members generally, it is hoped our effort will not prove unacceptable to pastors and deacons, who will find here what they need to enable them to act promptly and intelligently in ordinary church matters.

It is hoped, also, it will be found a convenient medium of information for those who are inquiring for the truth, anxious to know where among numerous denominations it lies. The author has seen the time

4 PREFACE.

when he would have deemed invaluable a single volume, which he could place in the hands of those needing "much in a little," who could hardly be expected to seek through many volumes, pamphlets, and papers, what is here embraced. It is no exaggeration to say, that the cases are numerous in which persons of other churches, and those who have not become members of any church, are looking towards Baptists for a home. They desire facts, and only need them to make a decision. Here they are. It is worthy of remark that a reliable man, who is distinguished for his accumulation of facts, has said: "the number of members received into the Baptist churches for some years past, from other denominations, exceeds 2000 annually ; and that the number of ministers, so received, by change of conviction, is equal to one for every week in the year." This is a church emigration unheard of except in this direction.

It is a pleasing fact of the times, that the primitive state of religion is attracting attention. The nearer we approach the Son of God, His will, the more sure we may be of correctness and success. This volume has originated in a desire to aid, in some humble manner, such a result. If any suppose it leads too decidedly in a Baptist direction for such a profession, or to be of general interest, we have only to say, we believe it to be the result of the force of truth, and have presumed that others have no more regard for a mere sect than ourselves, and are as willing to receive the truth, wherever it may be found.

Philadelphia, Jan., 1856. D. C. H.

Contents

Preface 3

Introduction by John Dowling, D. D 11

Part I

THE ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF THE BAPTIST CRTJRCH, AND ITS IDENTITY WITH THE PRIMITIVE CHURCH.

CHAPTER I. 1. The importance of investigations in Church History. 2. Misrepresentations of Baptists by Historians — Prof. Hase and his translators — Statistics.

3. The argument stated 19—22

Chapter II

The probability of the truth of the position that the Baptist church is the primitive church, from the opinions of intelligent men, Baptists and others, who have paid particular attention to the subject. 1. Orchard. 2. Dr. Brown. 3. Prof. Duncan. 4. Drs. Ypeig and Dermont. 5. Writers in the Christian Review 22 — 27

Chapter III

The argument for the primitive character of the Baptist church from the history of baptism. 1. The origin of the church and the history of baptism for the first century; testimony of the learned as to the mode and subjects of baptism during this period. 2. The history of Baptism from the first century onward beyond the times when Baptist churches, subsequent to New Testament Baptists, arose ,• the mode of baptism ; Prof. Stewart on the early fathers ; Dr. Sears on Chrysostom and Winner ; the time and origin of sprinkling; the subjects of baptism; Pedobaptist materials for Baptist arguments ; Dr. Woods on infant baptism ; Chevalier Bunson and Hyppolytus and his age ; Prof. Knowlcs on the origin of infant baptism ; the time when it was introduced 28 — 39

Chapter IV

The argument for the primitive character of the Baptist church, from the history of the church, being brief sketches of history, showing the chain

1* (5)

6 CONTENTS.

of connection from the earliest period of the Christian church until the present time. 1. New Testament Baptists from A. D. 1 to 100. 2. The Montanists from 150 to 500. 3. The Novatians from 251 to 600. 4. The Donatists from 311 to 750. 5. The Paulicians from 653 to 1017. 6. The Paterines from 330 to 1250. 7. The Waldenses from 150 to 1523 ; Luther's appearance and the rise of evangelical Pedobaptism. 8. The Anabaptists of Germany from 1524 to 1674. 9. The Baptists of England, Ac., from 100 to 1855. 10. The American Baptists from 1639 to 1855. 11. Other Baptist sects 40—53

Chapter V

The argument for the primitive character of the Baptist church from its identity with the primitive church; the identity wanting in the case of the Roman Catholic, the Greek, and the Protestant churches. 1. If the Baptist church is the primitive church, there should be an identity, and there is. 2. There is none between the Roman Catholic and primitive church; D'Aubigne on the rise and fall of Romanism ; Gavazzi's demolition of Romanism. 3. The Greek church originating in the Roman. 4. Church of England no claim to primitive resemblance. 5. The other evangelical churches primitive only in part 53 — 59

Chapter III

Baptism. Pengilly's work all which is necessary. 1. The four Gospels. 2. John's Baptism. 3. The subjects, mode, and spiritual design of baptism. 4. The mode of John's baptism. 5. The baptism of Jesus. 6. Christ baptizing by his disciples, 7. John's last baptizing in ,<Enon. 8. References of Jesus to John, and his baptism and success. 9. Christ's sufferings under the figure of baptism. 10. The great commission. 11. Conclusion of the four Gospels. 12. The Acts of the Apostles. 13. The pentecostal baptism. 14. Philip baptizing at Samaria. 15. Mode of the Eunuch's baptism. 16. The baptism of Paul. 17. Of Cornelius and his friends. 18. Of Lydia and her household. 19. Of the jailer and

CONTENTS. 7

his household. 20. Paul and household baptisms at Corinth. 21. Reflections upon household baptisms. 22. -. Baptisms at Ephesus. 23. Conelusion of the Acts. The Epistles. 24. Passages which contain express allusions to baptism. 25. Occasional mention of baptism. 2Q. Baptism illustrated by events in the Old Testament. 27. Conclusion of the New Testament 94—156

Chapter IV

Infant Baptism. Pengilly on the grounds of Infant Baptism, its rise and susposed benefits. 1. Strange that Infant Baptism still exists. 2. No Infant Baptism in the New Testament. 3. The Saviour blessing little ehildren. 4. Pedobaptist grounds of Infant baptism. 5. The children of believers, 1 Cor. vii. 14. 6. The children of believers no better by nature than those of others. 7. The promise of God to Abraham and his seed. 8. Circumcision and the Abrahamic covenant. 9. Infant salvation. 10. The authority on which Infant Baptism is founded. 11. The time when Infant Baptism was introduced. 12. Tradition. 13. Other innovations introduced. 14. The Christian fathers and Infant Baptism. 15. Sponsors introduced, because infants could not believe. 16. Views of modern Pedobaptists. 17. The use of baptism. 18. The first Christian writer who defends Infant Baptism 156 — 185

Chapter V

Dr. Fuller on Infant Salvation, Dedication, and Baptism. 1. Are infants, dying such, saved ? 2. Ought parents to dedicate their children to God ? 3. Where is the difference in baptism ? 4. What harm can baptism of infants do ? 1st. It perverts the Gospel ; 2d. It makes void the command of God by human tradition ; 3d. It attacks and insults the mercy of God ; 4th. It dishonors the Saviour ,• 5th. It does a serious injury to children.

185—193 CHAPTER VI.

Communion. 1. Baptist terms of Communion the same with other denominations. 2. Robert Hall on Close Communion. 3. Baptists should not be called Close Communionists, to distinguish them from others. 4. Familiar Dialogue between Peter and Benjamin, on Close Communion.

193—207

Part III. Baptist Church Polity, Government And Practice

CHAPTER I. 1. The Bible tho Law of tho Church. 2. The Church a Spiritual Body. 8. The Independence and Unity of tho Church 208—211

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER II.

The 'Church. 1. Origin and meaning of the term. 2. Formation of a Church. 3. The power, rights and duties of a Church — her power executive ; she should extend the reign of Christ ; select, educate, license, ordain and support ministers of the Gospel; and choose her own officers.

211—226

CHAPTER III.

Members of the Church. 1. Spiritual Persons. 2. How they become

members. 3. Restoration of excluded members. 4. How persons of

other denominations become members. 5. Rights and duties of church

members 226—230

CHAPTER IV.

Officers of the Church. 1. A Church may exist without them. 2. Bishops or Pastors and Deacons the only Officers. 3. Terms applied to Officers of the Church. 4. The authority, rights and duties of Pastors. 5. The origin, ordination, and duties of Deacons. 6. Other servants of the Church 230—239

CHAPTER V.

Church Meetings. 1. For Worship. 2. For Business. 3. Of Committees. 4. Of Councils. 5. Of Associations. 6. Of State Conventions and Missionary Societies. 7. Of Ministers. 8. Church Letters 240 — 246

Chapter VI

Church Discipline. 1. Its Origin. 2. Its Nature and Design. 3. Offences requiring it. 4. Discipline of Ministers. 5. Treatment of Excluded Members. 6. Their Reception by other Churches 246 — 253

Part IV. Baptist Martyrs And Persecutions, For The Foregoing Principles

CHAPTER I. 1. The Uses of Persecutions. 2. Evidence of Discipleship. 3. They prove how idLe is the wrath of man against God. v^The Martyrs as an Example >... 254—261

CHAPTER II. 1. The Abundance of the Sufferings of Baptists. 2. New Testament Martyrs.

261—264

CONTENTS. 9

CHAPTER III. 1. Persecutions of the Montanist Baptists, terrible in the extreme. 2. Of the Novatian Baptists by the Emperors 264 — 267

CHAPTER IV. 1. Persecutions of the Donatist Baptists; their Defence of Religious Liberty

2. Of the Paulician Baptists, eminent in piety and suffering, 267 — 273

CHAPTER. V. 1. Persecutions and Martyrdoms of the Paterine Baptists. 2. Gomdulphas arises. 3. Arnold of Brescia; his intrepidity and martyrdom.... 2 72 — 275

CHAPTER VI. 1. The persecutions and martyrs of the Waldensian Baptists; the inquisition originated for them. 2. The boy and the priest. 3. Bartholomew Copin. 4. Cromwell and Milton interfere in behalf of Baptists... 275 — 282

CHAPTER VII. 1. Persecutions and martyrs of the Anabaptists by Luther and the Reformers ; difference between Muncer and Munster. 2. Adrian Pan and wife.

3. John Deswarte, his wife, children, and neighbors .282 — 289

CHAPTER VIII. 1. Persecutions and Martyrs in Britain. 2. Jeffreys and Baxter. 3. John Bunyan. 4. Kiffin and the Hewling Family 289—297

CHAPTER IX.

Persecutions of Baptists in America. 1. By the Pilgrim Fathers in New England. 2. Roger Williams ; his sufferings for conscience sake ; his true place in the history of religious liberty. 3. The sufferings of Obadiah Holmes and others in Boston; the Contrast in Boston. 4. The Sufferings of Baptists in Virginia ; the Defence of three Baptist Ministers by Patrick Henry 298—314

10 CONTENTS.

Part V

.FACTS AND STATISTICS OF BAPTIST MISSIONARY INSTITUTIONS, SCHOOLS OF LEARNING, PERIODICALS AND CHURCHES, AND CONCLUDING CHAPTERS ON THE INDEBTEDNESS OF THE WORLD TO BAPTISTS, AND THEIR DUTY TO THE WORLD.

CHAPTER L 1. Baptists ever the friends of Missions. 2. The first money raised in the United States for Foreign Missions. 3. Missionary Institutions in the United States and Great Britain. 4. Statistics of Benevolence, Pastor's Salaries and Church Edifices. 5. Institutions of Learning. 6. Periodicals. 7. Baptist Associations, Churches, Ministers and Baptisms. 8. Reflections upon the increase of Churches. 9. Ministers, Churches and Members 315—329

CHAPTER II.

The Indebtedness of the World to Baptists. 1. On preserving pure the laws of God. 2. Baptists the only Christian people who have existed in all ages of the Christian era. 3. Defenders of Civil and Religious Liberty. 4. They have not altered the ordinances. 5. They are the only consistent opponents of Popery. 6. They have contended for the truth against the world 329—339

CHAPTER III.

The duty of Baptists to the world. 1. They should prove worthy of the honor conferred upon them. 2. They should not yield to the demands of the world. 3. They should contend earnestly with Romanism; its statistics. 4. The great number of Baptists should be consecrated; their statistics contrasted with other denominations 339 — 349

Introduction

Nothing is of greater importance to all who would make themselves familiar with the history and peculiarities of religious denominations, than a correct understanding of their first principles — those fundamental truths which lie at the foundation of their system of faith aud practice. Much of the asperity and unfairness which have characterized the polemics of religion, has arisen from a misunderstanding or misstatement of the belief of the parties in controversy and from ignorance of the fundamental principles, lying at the foundation of that belief, and giving rise to the distinctive peculiarities of each.

Whenever a doctrine or a practice is held, as the legitimate result of a principle, the proper course for a fair opponent is —not to brand with hard names, or charge with false conclusions — but candidly to examine the principle, and then the connection between that and the doctrine or practice based upon it. If he can show that the fundamental principle is unscriptural and unsound, of course he overturns the conclusions that are derived from it ; just as a superstructure must fall when the foundation is knocked from under it. If the principle be admitted as true, then he must show that the doctrine or practice cannot be logically deduced from it. If he can do neither of these, — if he can neither prove the unsoundness of the principle, nor that the conclusion drawn from it is a non sequitur — then, as an honest man, he is bound

(ii)

to submit to the truth. The least he can do is to cease his opposition, and to "refrain from these men, and let them alone."

Alas ! that the history of religious controversy shows how many there are, who are maddened rather than subdued by the impregnability of truth, and for lack of hard arguments, resort to hard names, and thus tread in the steps of the ancient accuser of the^Apostle Paul, the orator Tertullus, who, conscious of his inability to answer his arguments, took the easier course of branding him as " a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition."* And thus it has come to pass that men who have found the task too difficult to undermine the principles, or to confute the reasoning of Baptists, have contented themselves with branding them as " mad men of Munster" — " movers of sedition" — and " Anabaptists" or Rebaptizers ; epithets, which a knowledge of their principles and history — as faithfully exhibited in the following work — proves to be as inapplicable to them as to any denomination of evangelical Christians.

Much of the odium which, in earlier times, has been cast upon Baptists, and occasional instances of which are seen even at the present day, has arisen from an inadequate or mistaken view of the great fundamental principles which underlie their system of faith and practice. We hold that it is unfair to assail a doctrine or usage of a denomination, till the demolition of the principle upon which such doctrine or usage is based.

To illustrate our meaning : — The Episcopalian believes that no one can be a true minister of Christ unless episcopally ordained in the line of apostolical succession, and he therefore excludes from his pulpit his Methodist, or Presbyterian, or Baptist brother. Now, what we maintain is, that it would be unfair to attribute this seeming exclusiveness to bigotry or

* Acts xxiv. 5.

uncharitableness. The practice is a necessary result of the principle. If he really believes in the necessity of apostolical succession in order to a valid ministry, he is not to be blamed, because he refuses to be guilty of the inconsistency of violating this principle. Nor can we expect that such an one should admit us into his pulpit till he shall be as firmly conevinced as we are, that this whole claim of apostolical succession is baseless, unscriptural and absurd. Just so, the Baptist believes that immersion only is valid baptism ; and in common with all other denominations, he believes that baptism — whatever it is — must precede communion. How unjust, then, the odium cast upon Baptists, for what is termed their strict communion ; when, in this matter, they stand, as the following work proves, upon precisely the same ground with their accusers, viz. : valid, scripture baptism a prerequisite to communion ! Till the principle from which this practice necessarily follows is disproved, viz. : that immersion only is true baptism, no fair opponent will censure them, or excite prejudice against them for a practice which consistency with their principles imperatively enjoins.

That which we cheerfully concede to others, we have a right to demand for ourselves. We are firm believers in a principle that lies at the basis of the Baptist faith, viz. : that the Bible is the only and sufficient rule of faith and practice. We do not believe in the Romish or the Oxford doctrine, as expressed by Dr. Newman, a few years ago, before he had finished his voyage towards Rome — and which he still believes, now he has reached his haven, viz. : that " these two things, the Bible and the Catholic tradition— form together a united rule of faith." We cannot admit with the Papist at Trent, that the written books and " unwritten traditions" are to be received " with equal piety and veneration."*

* " Pari pietatis affectu ac rovercntia suscipit et venoratur." Sco the docrco of tho Council of Trent on Tradition.

The reader of the work to which these remarks are prefixed, will find abundant proof, that the Baptist admits not of tradition as a joint authority with the word of God; but clings with unyielding tenacity to the Bible, and the Bible only as authority, in all matters of faith. Whatever we find in the Bible, that we receive as of paramount authority ; whatever is not there, we reject, as of nothing worth. "We care nothing for tradition ; we have little regard for '''the fathers/' unless they confirm the declarations of the written word. Every true doctrine is as old as the apostles. If they knew nothing of it, no matter to us whether it be discovered in the musty folio of some visionary of the third or fourth century, or dug up from the charnelhouse of rottenness and oblivion to which the good sense of the people had consigned it fifteen hundred years ago, or whether it spring from the fertile brain of some visionary of the nineteenth century ; if it is not in the Bible, it has not the slightest claim to our regard as an article of religious belief. Xay, more, we will add, that though Augustine, or Jerome, or even Tertullian or Irenasus, were to arise from the dead, and teach some new doctrine, we would simply ask — " Is it to be found in the inspired record T n and if truth should compel them to answer " Xo" — then we would esteem it of no greater worth, as matter of religious faith, than the vagaries of Emanuel Swedenborg, Joseph Smith, or Andrew Jackson Davis. "With such principles, we ask — Is infant baptism to be found in the Bible ? "What says Schleiermacher, himself a Pedobaptist ? " All traces of infant baptism, which one will find in the Xew Testament, must first be put into it." What says the Episcopal Dr. Hook, the celebrated champion of the Oxford theology, in a recent sermon in defence of tradition ? "You know, my hearers," says he, "that the Bible says nothing whatever of the baptism of infants ; if, then, you reject the authority of tradition, how can •you account for infant baptism ? With what consistency can you receive this doctrine, as you do, without a question, and reject other doctrines which are established upon precisely the same foundation?"

Now the only way in which a Pedobaptist can possibly meet this argument, is either to deny the Baptist principle — the Bible only the rule of faith — and take the Romish rules of Scripture and tradition united, or else to prove what the above Pedobaptist writers, and many others, flatly deny, viz. : that the baptism of infants is plainly commanded in the Bible ; a task which never has been, and, we are very sure, never can be accomplished. The reader will not be surprised, therefore, to find it asserted, and we think conclusively proved, in the present work, that Baptists, who reject every doctrine based only upon tradition, can alone consistently oppose the errors of Borne.

From this fundamental principle of the Bible only, springs another principle, ever dear to Baptists, viz. : the personal right of every man to judge for himself what that Bible reveals — individual responsibility, intellectual freedom, and what Roger Williams so well named " soul liberty." No one can read the present volume, without being convinced that the world owes a mighty debt to the great Baptist family for their labors and sufferings as the martyrs and champions of religious liberty — " freedom to worship God."

The Baptist considers it an invasion of this individual and personal responsibility, to administer a so-called ordinance to an unconscious babe, with the expectation that he shall make that act his own, and be bound by it, when he arrives at maturity ; and, to us, there appears both force and propriety in the question once put by a young man convinced of the duty of believers' immersion, when his parents endeavored to dissuade him from his purpose, by reminding him that he had been sprinkled in his infancy — " was it right, dear parents, to deprive me of the liberty of choice ?" It will be seen, therefore, that the practice of infant baptism is in direct opposition to these two great principles of the Baptist faith — the sufficiency of the Bible only, and individual and 'personal responsibility before God.

While we thus avoid most scrupulously any invasion of individual freedom ; there is danger, on the other hand, lest Baptists should fall into an opposite error, and neglect the early instruction of their families in their peculiar and scriptural views. Religious instruction is a duty imperative upon every Christian parent, and no over-scrupulous fear of infringing upon the province of private judgment should prevent the performance of so plain a duty. This religious instruction of our children should include a statement of our principles, history, doctrines, and polity as Baptists. We believe that a great reform is needed here in Baptist families. If our principles are worth holding, they are worth dissemi nating, worthy of being taught to our children, worthy of being studied and understood by all. And they must be so taught and studied, if we would succeed in retaining the children of Baptists in Baptist churches and congregations. These principles have a history — a history of labors and sufferings, of " struggles and triumphs" — a history which is worthy of being popularized, that it may be read, and pondered, and treasured up by all Baptists and the children of Baptists. The names and achievements of Williams and Delaune, of Bunyan and Keach, of Gill and Booth, of Hall and Rayland, and Fuller and Ivimey — of Backus and Stillman, and Baldwin and Staughton, and scores of other Baptist worthies, both in the Old World and the New, should be familiar to us and our children as household words, and the precious truths for which they toiled and suffered, the doctrines, the polity, and government of the churches planted and nurtured by their labors, should be made in all Baptist families, the subjects of frequent reading, conversation, and instruction.

I cannot but esteem the present work of my valued friend and brother, the Be v. D. C. Haynes, as a successful attempt to popularize the knowledge of Baptist principles, history,

INTRODUCTION. It

doctrines, and polity of which I have spoken ; and I am sure the volume, besides being a comprehensive and convenient manual for constant reference by every intelligent Christian, and especially by every Baptist, will prove a most important auxiliary to domestic religious instruction in every Baptist family into which it may be introduced.

JOHN DOWLING.

Philadelphia, March, 1856. 2*

PAET I.

THE ORIGIN AND HISTORY OP THE BAPTIST CHURCH, AND ITS IDENTITY WITH THE PRIMITIVE CHURCH.

Chapter I

The importance of investigations in Church History. 2. Misrepresentations of Baptists by Historians — Prof. Hase and his translators — Statistics. 3. The Argument stated.

1. No honest, intelligent man can, on the least reflection, be disinterested in the question, is any one of the denominations now in being essentially the primitive church ? If so, which is* it ? Put the question in a different form, and it is the same thing. Has any one denomination anymore claim to this distinction than another ? If so, which is it ? Let the truth appear. No matter where the light flashes its rays. Let us have light. This is a subject of legitimate inquiry, and is as capable of investigation and fair decision as any other. If it is involved in difficulty, it is at the same time of no ordinary interest, and no pains should be spared to arrive at the truth. If the least important historical questions are deserving of examination, how much more those relating to the Church of God 1 Surely Christians should not be outdone in research, or interest, in such matters, by men of the world.

2. The obligation of Baptists, particularly, to such investigations, is amply illustrated in all church history, and in none more than in the most recent works on the subject. Their church, though occupying by far the largest space in true church history, has no fair place in any, but those written by Baptists; and the recent one by Prof. Hase affords them no relief. Some are inclined to doubt the existence of Baptists in distant times, subsequent to the apostolic, because historians either pass them over in silence, or with contempt, or some very equivocal compliment. But Prof. Hase in this late day has done the same thing, and there are really no Baptists now, of any consideration, in any country, if to such men their history is to be trusted. Witness his false representations of Baptists in Germany. "In Germany persons sometimes become Baptists from pietistic scruples, or from some religious extravagancies (!) ; and a few small congregations have here and there been baptized by the English Missionary Oncken, of Hamburg" (since 1834). Prof. Hase dates modern missions from the "London Missionary Society" of 1796, when it is now well known that the English Baptist Mission bears date 1192. The American translators of Prof. Hase's book, who have prepared for it by his permission, an account of religion in this country, have treated the Baptists of America but a little, if any, better than historians treated the Anabaptists of Germany, and if we are to be ashamed of them on account of their history, written by enemies, we must be ashamed of ourselves, and acknowledge that Baptists have no desirable existence in America at the present time. A writer in the Christian Review says of this account — "within the brief compass of twenty lines, we detect eight or ten erroneous representations, and in the parts which are true in fact, there is no regard to the true proportions or proper coloring." Take a single statement from this American prepared account of Baptists in the "United States. " The Baptists follow next (to the Congregationalists) in the order of time (1639), and if we include under the appellation all who deny the validity of Baptism except by immersion and on the professed faith of the

ITS ORIGIN AND HISTORY. 21

subject, they must be regarded as the most numerous denomination but one in the United States." If these gentlemen had consulted as common a book as " Mitchell's School Atlas," they would have seen that the associated Baptists alone, are three times as numerous as any other denomination, excepting the Methodists ; and that without reckoning several sects included in their estimate of Baptists. The Baptist population of the United States is larger than the Methodist. " Mitchell's School Atlas" is not a Baptist work, of course, and puts down the Methodist population, including six different sects, at 4,700,000 ; and the Baptist population, including seven different sects, at 5,200,000. All authorities unite in making the Baptist church membership a little less than the Methodist, and the population a little more.

It is supposing such historians dishonest to the last degree, to charge them with intentional misrepresentations so gross. It is the dictate of charity to attribute them to ignorance of Baptist history. It should be — it must be — the work of Baptists to give them the facts in so plain a manner, that they cannot misrepresent them for want of information. Indeed, it seems incredible now, that those making any pretensions t$ historical learning, should be ignorant of so palpable a history as is theirs.